Considering Shoulder Replacement due to Osteoarthritis

Posted by beatricefay @beatricefay, Apr 4, 2023

I'm considering having a shoulder replacement due to osteoarthritis. I've tried PT, but my range of motion is very limited. I'm 78 so worry about it getting worse and affecting my quality of life. Anybody have any comments or suggestions regarding the procedure?

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@ddsack

I had my reverse TSR in October of 2021, no unexpected problems, I am very happy with the results, I have good range, no pain. Back to normal in about 3-4 months. I don't even think about it being artificial and have to remind myself to take it easy with those heavy big water buckets or cat litter pails. Prior to the surgery, I had constant arthritic ache in the shoulder, hard to get to sleep because of the ache. My range of motion had shrunk to where I could not raise my right arm level with my shoulder, let alone get it anywhere near my head, all hair washing and showering was left handed. There were days I had to use both hands to get a coffee cup up to my lips. I delayed surgery for as long as I could, but after one particularly painful attack which lasted for a couple of days, I decided it was time! Would do it again.

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I'm upset because when I saw my surgeon on February 28th he said it was going to be a labrum repair and arthritic cleanup I just saw the forms for the surgery that I have to sign off on it says total shoulder replacement. When did this change isn't it due diligence to tell a patient when a different decision has been made I don't understand and I'm frightened.

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I'm doing the same... good luck.

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@zhigirl2023

I'm upset because when I saw my surgeon on February 28th he said it was going to be a labrum repair and arthritic cleanup I just saw the forms for the surgery that I have to sign off on it says total shoulder replacement. When did this change isn't it due diligence to tell a patient when a different decision has been made I don't understand and I'm frightened.

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You obviously need to get more information about why the procedure was changed and talk to a medical professional about your fears. Good communication between doctors and patients is important.

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@beatricefay

You obviously need to get more information about why the procedure was changed and talk to a medical professional about your fears. Good communication between doctors and patients is important.

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Thanks so much for your support.

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@zhigirl2023

I'm upset because when I saw my surgeon on February 28th he said it was going to be a labrum repair and arthritic cleanup I just saw the forms for the surgery that I have to sign off on it says total shoulder replacement. When did this change isn't it due diligence to tell a patient when a different decision has been made I don't understand and I'm frightened.

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Did you have some xrays, CAT scan or MRI after talking to him that he may have viewed and not had a chance to speak to you about? If not, then this really needs to be cleared up about why he would order that type of change without discussing it with you first. Is there a chance that the office staff may have messed up and given you the wrong forms? For sure you have the right to demand answers.

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@ddsack

Did you have some xrays, CAT scan or MRI after talking to him that he may have viewed and not had a chance to speak to you about? If not, then this really needs to be cleared up about why he would order that type of change without discussing it with you first. Is there a chance that the office staff may have messed up and given you the wrong forms? For sure you have the right to demand answers.

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Hi, it was after the CT and MRI that we discussed the results and he said, "good news, I'm going to do a labrum repair and arthritic cleanup. But you need a cardiologist to clear you due to the EKG and that was the last I saw or heard from his office. I was cleared and I got this surgical package 5-9-23 I have called his office and am waiting for his PA to respond. There's no way I'll go forward if the procedure has changed and they just expect me to sign off without any prior notice.

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@zhigirl2023

Hi, it was after the CT and MRI that we discussed the results and he said, "good news, I'm going to do a labrum repair and arthritic cleanup. But you need a cardiologist to clear you due to the EKG and that was the last I saw or heard from his office. I was cleared and I got this surgical package 5-9-23 I have called his office and am waiting for his PA to respond. There's no way I'll go forward if the procedure has changed and they just expect me to sign off without any prior notice.

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Totally agree. You certainly need more information.

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@beatricefay

Totally agree. You certainly need more information.

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I finally got word that it will be a total shoulder replacement. I'm back on the roller coaster of dealing with this new news and I'm very dismayed about it. Psychologically I just feel like pieces of me are being cut out I'm hoping someone out there can help me redirect this mindset.

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@ddsack

Did you have some xrays, CAT scan or MRI after talking to him that he may have viewed and not had a chance to speak to you about? If not, then this really needs to be cleared up about why he would order that type of change without discussing it with you first. Is there a chance that the office staff may have messed up and given you the wrong forms? For sure you have the right to demand answers.

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Hi I finally got word it will be a total shoulder replacement so my mindset has to be reset for what I consider is Major surgery. Psychologically I'm feeling really down and I know this is not the mindset to go in with.

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@zhigirl2023

Hi I finally got word it will be a total shoulder replacement so my mindset has to be reset for what I consider is Major surgery. Psychologically I'm feeling really down and I know this is not the mindset to go in with.

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It's really too bad that you got the change news through the office paperwork and not by a discussion with him. He may have reviewed the scans and xrays again, and noticed areas of concern that he thought would be better served by a TSR? Osteoarthritis and cartilage loss will continue with age, I'm not sure what an "arthritic clean up" involves, as you mentioned in the previous post. Any shoulder surgery can take many months to heal from and perhaps he was trying to save you from having yet another inevitable surgery and recovery phase in a year. I know it's hard to get answers now, all of the surgeons are pre-booked months in advance for appointments. If you decide to go through with it, I would say the positive view is that you will have the whole area fixed at one time, rather than keep picking away at each separate new problem.

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